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Posted by: Erin Allen
Once again, the Library of Congress has decorated the Great Hall with a tall tree for the holidays, full of lights and ornaments for the enjoyment of visitors. It makes a lovely temporary addition to the magnificence of the space and never fails to put me in a festive spirit. If you’ve had the chance to …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Photos, Pic of the Week, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
(The following story, written by Center for the Book Director John Y. Cole, is featured in the November/December 2015 issue of the Library of Congress Magazine, LCM. You can read the issue in its entirety here.) Thirteen Librarians of Congress helped shape a legislative, national and international library. Today the Library of Congress is truly a …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Congress, LCM, Libraries, Thomas Jefferson Building
Posted by: Erin Allen
Until 1897, the Library of Congress was housed in the U.S. Capitol Building itself. Librarian of Congress Ainsworth Rand Spofford (1864–97) was the first to propose that the Library be moved to a dedicated building. He also was instrumental in establishing the copyright law of 1870, which placed the Copyright Office in the Library and …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Collections, Events, History, News, Newspapers, Thomas Jefferson Building, Today in History, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The Library of Congress once again opened the doors to its magnificent Main Reading Room on Monday for a special open house, held twice each year. More than 6,100 visitors enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the Library’s services, resources and collections, speak with reference librarians and even go inside the decks to view the …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Events, Photos, Pic of the Week, Social Media, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
In September, the Library of Congress had some big headlines – from the announcements of new collections to celebrating the 15th annual National Book Festival and the inaugural reading of the new poet laureate. The Library received a very special visitor and a very special book to add to its collections last month. During his …
Posted in: Books, Collections, Curators, Events, Exhibitions, Manuscripts, National Book Festival, News, Newspapers, Poetry, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
The following is an article, written by Jennifer Gavin of the Library’s Office of Communications, for the September/October 2015 issue of the Library of Congress Magazine, LCM. You can read the issue in its entirety here.) The Library of Congress promotes the pleasure and power of reading. Thomas Jefferson famously stated, “I cannot live without …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Education, LC Web site, Libraries, National Book Festival, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
(The following is a feature story in the July/August 2015 issue of the Library of Congress Magazine, LCM. The story was written by Jennifer Gavin, a senior public affairs specialist in the Office of Communications. Joseph Puccio, the Library’s collection development officer, contributed to this story. You can read the issue in its entirety here.) The …
Posted in: Capitol Hill, Collections, Copyright, Libraries, Thomas Jefferson Building
Posted by: Erin Allen
The printing press that helped spread world-changing ideas of revolution, liberty and self-governance through early America grew from a humble beginning: a small, error-filled book of religious devotion, produced by a locksmith for settlers forging a home in the North American wilderness. A new Library of Congress exhibition explores early printing in the American colonies, …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Congress, Curators, Exhibitions, History, Manuscripts, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC
Posted by: Erin Allen
Rosa Parks is known as a pioneer of the civil rights movement, a heroine for her courage of convictions. Yet, few knew the other side of her life – one spent as a devoted mother figure to her nieces and nephews. One such niece, Sheila McCauley Keys, was at the Library last week to remember …
Posted in: Books, Capitol Hill, Collections, Events, Manuscripts, Photos, Pic of the Week, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington DC